OBEY THE LORD

AIM FOR CHANGE

BY THE END OF THE LESSON, WE WILL:

EXPLAIN why God commanded Haggai to tell the Israelites to rebuild the Temple, INTERNALIZE the connection between the neglect of God's house and the poor results of the Israelites' selfish efforts; and LIST ways to carry out God's desires before attempts to satisfy our personal agendas. 

FOCAL VERSES HAGGAI 1:1-11

KEEP IN MIND 

"Then came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying, Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste?"  (Haggai 1:3-4). 

AT-A-GLANCE

1. Call to Rebuild (Haggai 1:1-2)

2. Call to Reflect (vv. 3-9)

3. Call to Reap (vv. 10-11)

IN FOCUS STORY

Brain and Carmen were third generation Apostolic. They had been members of their home church since they were children, but over time things started to change. They noticed that the church was not an active part of the community anymore, and grew especially concerned about the church's lack of commitment to social justice. The pastor admitted he lacked the support of the congregation for giving care to a changing community. As the members grew more successful in their personal lives, they began to focus more on their own prosperity rather than helping others. 

Brain and Carmen were discouraged because it was not the church they had know growing up. They began visiting other churches and prayed about whether they should move their membership. Ultimately, they agreed not to move until they received clear direction from the Lord. 

There is nothing wrong with personal pursuits of success. When they interfere with following through with God's assignments, however, we ought not to be surprised if he corrects or disciplines us. In today's lesson, the prophet Haggai was sent to call the returning remnant back to God's business. 

THE PEOPLE, PLACES, and TIMES

Prophet. As God's messenger, a prophet's responsibility was to represent, declare, and announce God's will to the people. A prophet was not primarily a "fore" teller but a "forth" teller. The prophets spoke about social, cultural, and political situations and gave moral and spiritual guidance to God's people. In particular, the prophets carried oracles from God directed at Israel, Judah, and surrounding foreign nations. The purpose of such oracles was to reiterate God's promises to their ancestors, give assurance of His presence, correct the people by expressing His displeasure, or give warning before judgement for wrongdoing. Interwoven in Israel's prophetic message before, during, and after the exile were foreshadows of the coming Messiah. 

Temple. Building erected and sanctified for the worship of God. King Solomon completed the first structure in the 11th year of his reign in 949 B.C., which mirrored the composition of the tabernacle-containing the outer court, inner court and most holy place. The Temple has great significance in Jewish history, as it housed the Ark of the Covenant, which represented the presence of God. The Levites (descendants of Levi) were designated caretakers of the Temple, and only the high priest was allowed to enter into the most holy place once a year, as he represented God to the people and the people before God. The Babylonians destroyed the first Temple in 586 B.C. when the southern kingdom was led into captivity (2 Kings 25:9). 

BACKGROUND

After seventy years in captivity in Babylon, the Israelites were allowed to return to their native land. King Cyrus of Persia defeated the Babylonians in 538/9 B.C., and he then decreed that the exiled people could return to their land, reestablish worship of their God, and rebuild the Temple (Ezra 1:1-8; cf. Isaiah 44:28). The first order of business was to record an account of the first wave of people returning from captivity. Their first goal was building an altar on the Temple site and the re-institution of the sacrificial system (Ezra 2-3). In 535 B.C., plans were underway to rebuild the Temple as the foundation was laid, but work stopped in 520 B.C. due to political and economic struggles with neighboring nations who were "adversaries of Judah and Benjamin" (Ezra 4:1). Sixteen years passed. It wasn't until the second year of King Darius' reign that the release was given to resume work in 520/1 B.C. God called both Haggai and Zechariah to usher in revival by imploring His people to honor Him by finishing what they started. 

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES

1. What were the people doing that displeased God (Haggai 1:3)?

2. What did God direct the people to do in order to please Him

 (v. 8)?

3. How did God show His displeasure with the priorities of the people (vv. 6, 9-11)?

DISCUSS THE MEANING

1. Why do you think God specifically called out Zerubbabel and Joshua? How can saints hold our political  and spiritual leaders respectfully accountable? Should we?

2. What does it mean for us to "consider our ways"? Should our socioeconomic conditions influence our response to that command?

3. Re-read verse 6. Why didn't these results lead the people to "consider their ways"? Are there examples of this lack of success in our lives and churches today?

4. In the In Focus Story, Brain and Carmen have noticed a difference in their church that has taken the focus away form doing the work of the Lord. What advice would you give them? Is their issue unique or is it a trend in Apostolic churches today?

LESSON IN OUR SOCIETY

It is easy for us to get caught up in our own world and not consider what is happening around us. Our love for God and others demonstrates ways in which we may honor God in our daily lives. In fact, Jesus stated that all the commandments and prophetic passage of the Old Testament hang on those two concepts-loving God and loving our neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40). God's heard for justice and righteousness has not changed. In what ways are you personally and the Apostolic church collectively reaching our to families in your community-and across the world-who can use your support? How important is it to go beyond the walls to do the work that is pleasing to God?

MAKE IT HAPPEN

This week, take to heart Haggai's message to "consider your ways." Consider the purity of your motives; is God truly the head of your life and at the center of it all? Do you hold the things of God in high esteem or have you started to give more attention to your personal comfort and agenda? Allow the Holy Ghost to show you the areas where your commitment to God need improvement-those things you know the Lord has tugged on your heart to start or complete. Seek to promptly obey the Lord when He gives you instructions to move, not so you can receive but so His glory and blessings can be shown to others. 

(Except for the Apostolic Light Pentecostal Assemblies of the World Inc.)